Page 200 of The Vampire's Bride

“You go too far, Uncle,” Raine’s eyes burn with anger. “You’ve had a chance to voice your discontent, but I will allow no more.” He grits his fangs. “Sit. Down. Now.”

“No.” Stryker bares his fangs. “If her husband will not turn her, we will do it ourselves.”

“Youwill nottouch her.” Valaric seethes. A thunderous growl rumbles in his chest as his eyes change from red into a deep, ominous black as his gaze sweeps over the room. “If any of you dare try to harm my mate, know that I am the death that will come for you.”

The chamber falls silent, every council member staring in shock. Stryker takes a step back, studying Valaric warily. “Need I remind you that it is against our laws to harm one of our own kind, Lord Greyvale.”

Valaric levels a dark glare at him. “Yourlawswill not protect you from my wrath. Touch my mate and I will end you without hesitation. I swear it to the old gods and the new.”

“Juliet Greyvale is a member of our clan and Lady of Great House Greyvale.” Damar’s voice rings with authority as his sharp eyes travel over the room. “You’ve been informed of her title and status. Make no mistake. Any who dare try to harm her will be considered our enemy.” He looks at Stryker. “We’re done here.”

Stryker’s mouth drifts open, but he quickly snaps it shut as a circle of purple smoke appears beside us.

Aerlyx flashes a devilish grin and performs a mock bow for the Council. “It’s been lovely all of us getting together,” he says sarcastically. “But unfortunately, all good things must come to an end.” He turns to us. “Shall we?”

Valaric offers me his hand, and I slip my palm into his. Together, we step through the portal. The world goes dark, and when I blink, we’re back in the castle.

Damar turns to Aerlyx. “Thank you.”

Aerlyx grins, pleased by the acknowledgment.

Damar turns to the rest of us. “I believe our dramatic exit, combined with the fact that we have wolves here at the castle that can walk in the daylight, will make the other Houses hesitant to move against us.”

Valaric’s expression hardens. “I hope you are right.”

Crossing his arms, Aerlyx leans against the doorframe, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “I’ve always found that there’s nothing quite like a grand exit to ensure a lasting impression.”

Damar was wise to make Lysander a member of the Clan. If the wolves decide to join as well, we will be an even more formidable force.

My thoughts turn to the Order of Mages. Even if the other Houses leave us alone, I fear that war will come to us soon. And when it does, I pray that the gods will be on our side.

EPILOGUE

JULIET

The crackle of the fire is the only sound in the study, save for the soft scratch of my quill against the parchment as I sit at my desk, surrounded by scattered pages of my manuscript.

Across the room, Valaric reclines in a chair by the fireplace, reading a book. Light and shadow dance across his face from the flickering flames, highlighting his sharp, handsome features.

The upcoming High Council meeting looms in the back of my mind. They have yet to reach an agreement on whether or not they will accept the offer of an alliance from the Dark Elves and the Dragons. The fate of the Vampire kingdom hangs in the balance, but at this moment, I’m glad we’re here, far removed from it all.

Greyvale castle is our sanctuary, a place where the outside world feels distant and muted.Here, it’s just us.

I glance up from my desk and catch Valaric’s gaze out of the corner of my eye. He quickly returns his attention to his book. He’s always watching me. Always protective, always vigilant. Hethinks I don’t notice, but I do. A quiet warmth spreads through my chest at the thought, and I can’t help but smile.

Setting my quill down, I rise from the desk and make my way toward him. His gaze snaps up to mine again, following my every step. When I reach him, he places his book aside, his full attention fixed upon me.

I settle across his lap, and his arms and wing immediately come around me, wrapping me in a cocoon of warmth. “Are you all right?” he asks softly, voice laced with concern.

“I’m fine.” I lean my head against his chest, closing my eyes as his hands trace soothing patterns across my back. “I was just thinking about the High Council meeting. Damar doesn’t want me to go.”

“I don’t either,” he murmurs.

“What?” I pull back just enough to look up at him. “Why not?”

“Because I don’t like the idea of you in a room full of powerful Vampires, many of them enemies of our Great House.”

“Many of them are allies though as well,” I counter. “Lord Draven Silverthorn sided with our House during the last debate. He—”

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